What you should know before buying a blender
Blenders have become a staple at home in recent years. This is perhaps because of the increasing awareness on the importance of taking in fresh and healthy food and drinks.
Most vegetarians now, in fact, have either the blender or the food processor at home. Some even have both. They use these kitchen gadgets to prepare fruit juices and salads for their meals.
Although it is pretty easy to buy a blender nowadays because of the many brands and models to choose from, it is always good to research first and see just what you are buying.
Looking into its variety of function will also help you decide on what models to purchase and how much budget should you allot for it. Here are some of the things that can help you.
1. It specializes in liquids
Blenders are generally used for making shakes and juices. Also called a liquidizer or a liquefier, this handy kitchen tool deals well with anything that is liquid.
In fact, it is primarily used in mixing drinks and making smoothies. You can create Zombies and margaritas with this gadget as well as milk shakes that children often love.
If you have a baby at home, the blender will also be useful in creating purees and semi-solid foods that they eat during the first and second years.
Babies do not have yet a strong digestive system in place. This is why their foods are often mashed and crushed for easy digestion.
However if you plan to use the blender to help you with the mincing and the mashing, a food processor is a better choice as this appliance can also slice and dice as well as grate depending on which blade you use.
You see unlike the blender, the razors of the food processor can be changed into another. Each blade will perform a certain function.
2. Oster is a good brand
If you have a good budget, opt for the Oster brand as it is considered the sturdiest. Their blenders have very powerful motors that can easily crush hard objects such as ice.
Blenders is even called osterizer sometimes, a term that the company popularized before. In fact, if you are planning to make shakes with ice on them,
be sure that you allot a big budget for your blender. The cheaper ones may not have a powerful enough motor to deal with hard ice.
3. Blenders and food processors have similar functions
Blenders in general have the same functions as the food processor. This is why they are often referred to interchangeably. Some do not even know the difference between the two.
They do differ from one another though. The food processor deals well with solid foods, the kind that you put as ingredients on the dishes that you cook.
The blender on the other hand is more into making liquid drinks and food for babies. Between the two, the food processor is however the more versatile one. With the right blade and the right settings, you can also make juices using this.
If you have the money, it is better to have both at home. Both food processor and blenders are great help in the preparation food and drinks for you and your family.
A Peek at the History of Blenders
Everything has its origin. From the places that we see now, to the establishments, to the people living today and lived in the past and even the things that you use in your everyday life.
Aren’t you curious to know about the history of something that is really useful in the kitchen? Take a peek at the history of blenders.
The Past
The man behind the invention of blenders is Stephen Poplawski. He did this in 1922. He intended this appliance to make soda fountain drinks.
Poplawski was the first person who thought about putting a spinning blade at the bottom of the container to be able to chop, grind and puree.
It was a man named Fred Osius who picked up where Poplawski left off. He made certain modifications and improvements to the idea.
This was in 1935 where the now famous Waring Blender was introduced. Osius was part of the Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company that was formed by him, L.H. Hamilton and Chester Beach.
This was formed in 1910. The company was well known for its kitchen appliances.
More about the Waring Blender
Fred Osius’ ingenuity was backed up by the financial support of Fred Waring. Fred Waring was known as a person who was always fascinated by gadgets.
Osius knew this attitude of Waring. At the time, Osius needed more financial backup to be able to create the necessary improvements to the blender.
Fred Osius approached Fred Waring at his dressing room after the latter had a live radio broadcast. This happened in the Vanderbilt Theatre in New York.
Osius pitched the idea and instantly got a promise from Waring to give him what he needs to be able to do more research about the venture.
It took $25,000 and six months long before Waring decided to drop Osius. Waring felt that the blender still had some issues regarding the technical aspect and it seemed like it had already taken too long.
Waring had the gadget redesigned. He made available to the public his own version of the blender he named as the Miracle Blender in 1937.
This was done at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago.
At the time, it retailed at $29.75. In 1938, Fred Waring changed the name of his company, from Miracle Mixer Corporation it became Waring Corporation. And so the blender’s name was also changed into the Waring Blender.
He was so confident with the product. He approached hotels and restaurants solely while pitching the unique selling proposition of his product, the blender or mixer to revolutionize how Americans had their drinks.
He was right. From then on, the success of his product and blenders in general has been famous and is still is being utilized all around the world up to this day.
The Waring blender is still popular until now. During its start, it became so useful in hospitals and for doctors who are requiring certain diets for their patients. Did you know that in 1954, the first million Waring Blender was sold?
Isn’t it amazing to know that such helpful utility in your kitchen has gone through a lot of phases? But the only factor that remains is that it still is popular because of its many uses. People use blenders to get a dose of refreshments, medicinal and health related purposes.
Blender Buying Guide
If you wish to buy a blender that would serve you for years of dependable use, you should go for quality and durability.
This blender buying guide would at least help you what to look for when you try to buy a new blender for your home.
First and foremost, buying a blender will depend on how you want it to serve you. There are different types of blenders available today, with each one serving a different function or provide a certain feature that some do not.
Aside from using blenders in order to make delicious smoothies and drinks, there are now blenders that are general food processors. They can cut, crush, dice and slice almost any food ingredient you prefer.
First of all, there is the ordinary blender that you may want to take a look at. These models are rugged in construction and usually are equipped with power that helps them do a variety of things.
For people who want to choose a more portable version of the blender, they might want to prefer taking a look at handheld versions of the gadget that are also known as immersion blenders.
Immersion blenders are a stick type gadget that has a swirling blade at one end. It can be used to create a variety of beverages such as shakes and smoothies as well as puree soups or thicken sauces.
Although not equipped with the power of ordinary blenders, they would make do with convenience being a big plus because of its portability.
For those looking for the heavy duty version, there is the popular food processor that has become a great help in many kitchens.
Food processors usually gain points their power ratings that give them better performance features in terms of the different things that they can be made to do around the kitchen.
These gadgets are powerful enough to chop, dice, mince, crush different types of ingredients for cooking as just among the few things that it can do.
When buying a blender, there are certain things that you have to look for, no matter what the type it is that you prefer. Of course an important factor may be its looks in terms of design. This is especially true when you try to buy an ordinary blender.
Such models are usually made as countertop version and become a permanent fixture in the kitchen table. And in this case, the blender chosen should also be able to complement the look of the kitchen in general in terms of its own design.
Another thing to consider when buying a blender is its power features. When you find a blender model at a store, try to check out the speeds available.
The difference in speed options allow blenders to be versatile enough in what they can do. It is also important to note that blenders having higher power ratings usually perform better than those with a lower one.
One other thing to consider when buying a blender is the container that comes with it. Blenders usually have containers that are either made of glass, plastic, or stainless steel. Each one has their own advantages and disadvantages.
Glass containers tend to perform better in blenders. Glass containers do not rattle as much as plastic containers once the blender is being used.
Plastic containers may be light, but they can also easily get scratched. Unlike glass, plastic may also tend to absorb the smell of anything contained in it.
Glass on the other hand does not and is even easier to clean. Stainless steel may be durable and may have points in terms of attractive design, but they can also be easily dented when not used properly.
Kitchen Equipment
A basic kitchen needs a selection of pots and pans, some basic gadgets, and a collection of common spices and condiments.
Pots and Pans:
A minimum set includes a small frying pan, a one-quart saucepan with cover, a two-quart saucepan with cover, a large frying pan with cover, and a large pot (for spaghetti, stew, pot roast, or homemade soup.)
If you are cooking for more than one person, get two each of the frying pans and saucepans. Covers are optional for the frying pans, but try to get a cover to fit at least one.
Good quality pans spread the heat evenly so that food does not burn in area of the pan and stay undercooked in another. The bottom of a good pan sits flat on the stove.
Cheap pans wear out fast and cost more in the long run. Stainless steel pans with a porcelain coating or a copper bottom are excellent. Stay away from aluminum pans.
They get bent out of shape easily and do not last. There have also been some health warnings about cooking in aluminum, but no real proof of any danger.
When using pans with a non-stick coating, turn the heat up only as far as is necessary, and only use wooden or plastic tools. Wipe the pan clean in soapy water.
A plastic or nylon net scrubber can be used, but never use steel wool pads. If you do not burn the food onto the pan, and you wash it while the food is still fresh and moist, it will be easy to clean.
If you have birds as pets, you may want to avoid non-stick coatings. If you use them, be sure not to overheat them. The coating can release fumes that can kill a bird.
Some other useful tools are a slow cooker, a wok (for Chinese cooking), toaster, microwave, blender, food processor, electric mixer, and an electric knife.
There are also bread machines available at reasonable prices that produce a fresh hot loaf of bread rapidly. Most machines also have a delay setting to allow one to place the ingredients in the machine hours before the bread is needed, so the machine finishes just in time for dinner.
Basic Gadgets:
You will need some wooden spoons. Get a selection of sizes and handle lengths. These are always handy and they will not damage your non-stick coatings. Unlike metal tools, they do not get too hot to handle.
You will also want a collection of spatulas in different sizes and shapes. The lightweight spatula that will flip an egg may not be strong enough for a hamburger.
Sometimes a narrow spatula is all that will fit in a pan, and sometimes a wide one is needed to get under whatever needs to be turned or lifted.
Whisks come in various sizes. They are very handy for mixing lightweight ingredients quickly, and are easier to get out and later to clean than a blender or mixer.
Get a good set of knives. Cheap ones make the job of cutting more difficult and they wear out fast. With the knives, you will need a good cutting board.
A cutting board provides a flat working surface and protects your counters. Plastic cutting boards are easier to clean than wooden ones.
Never cut vegetables that will be eaten raw on a cutting board that was used to cut raw meat unless you thoroughly clean the board first.
You will also need a selection of measuring tools.
Measuring cups for dry ingredients and measuring spoons come in sets. Get a set of each. You will need a measuring cup for liquids, too.
A one-cup measure is probably sufficient, but two-cup and quart measures are also useful. If you want to be precise in your measurements for dietary requirements,
buy a food scale and measure your portions until you get used to the sizes and can estimate accurately without weighing everything.
A lot of canned products are now being packaged with pop tops, but get a good can opener for the others. There are some electrics that sell for reasonable prices and do a good job, but get a manual one too.
When the power goes out, it can be frustrating not to be able to open the cans.
Spices and Condiments:
Salt and pepper go without saying. Some dried minced onion peps up a lot of recipes. Garlic is available fresh or in dried, chopped form or as a powder.
Caution: make sure you know the difference between garlic powder and garlic salt. Garlic powder makes great garlic bread; garlic salt makes VERY salty garlic bread.
Oregano or “Italian Seasoning,” gives an Italian flavor to anything. A bay leaf cooked in stew brings out the flavor of the other ingredients.
Paprika is a red powder used mainly for appearance, but it has been linked to some health benefits. If you like things hot, try sprinkling some cayenne pepper or chili powder on your food.
Basic condiments include ketchup, mustard, relish and mayonnaise.
There are all sorts of mustard varieties available. You can probably find traditional yellow mustard, Dijon, spicy brown, honey, and hot Chinese mustard, just to name a few.
Explore your local market and see what looks good. Be adventurous, but buy the smallest size, so you do not have a lot to discard if you do not like it.
Other condiments to try are steak sauces, barbecue sauces, tartar sauce, and various stir-fry sauces. Read the labels. If sugar is one of the first few ingredients, forget it.
Ingredient labels list the ingredients in descending order. The main ingredient is first, then the others, with the least one last.
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